2013 gmc sierra Model Overview

Sum Up

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The GMC Sierra has had a presence for as long as pickup trucks have been around. The Sierra nameplate has been associated with GMC’s pickups since the late 1980s and for most of its history it has remained essentially the same. The styling changed occasionally to keep up with the times, but the Sierra still has strong roots that hark back to the old days of the C/K trucks. However, that does not mean GMC’s full-size pickup has not evolved over the years. It started as a no-frills workhorse for heavy duty at farms and construction sites, and today, it has grown to become equally good at being a family car for long weekends and picnics. The growth of the Sierra as something more than a basic truck is visible when it is compared to its historical sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado. Both the Silverado and the Sierra started at the same time as workhorses, but the Sierra today is considered to be a more luxurious version of the basic Silverado.

New For 2013

An electronic trailer sway control, hill-start assist, power door locks, and cruise control became standard last year. For 2013, the Sierra gets the new powertrain grade-braking feature that holds speed by downshifting to a lower gear when traveling downhill to prevent the brakes from overheating. Sonoma Red and Heritage Blue are new exterior colors.

Exterior

Despite the inherent differences between the 2013 GMC Sierra and the Silverado and GM’s attempts at distinguishing both of them from each other, they still look very similar. There are differences though, with the Sierra getting unique grille, bumpers, front and rear fenders, cargo box, taillights, and headlights. The Sierra Denali gets its own unique appearance with a chrome grille and wheels.

The 2013 GMC Sierra can be fitted with 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch wheels depending on the package and model chosen. The extended cab model has wide rear doors for easily loading cargo or passengers. Optional features of the Sierra include a power moon roof and an EZ Lift tailgate.

Interior & Cargo

The interior of the 2013 GMC Sierra can range from basic and utilitarian to a good level of fit and finish. The Work Truck model has the most basic interior, with rubber floor covering, vinyl seats, and precious little in terms of comfort features. The SLE has a slightly better interior with cloth seats and carpets, but the dash remains plain and mostly empty with hard plastics everywhere. The Sierra SLT and Denali offer the best cabins in the line, with a fit and finish that ranks as high as that of the Yukon. These two models come with a good-looking, upscale dash along with door panel treatment. The interior has a full center console and lots of attractive metallic and wood grain accents for that touch of luxury.

The front seats for the 2013 GMC Sierra are quite comfortable, although the level of comfort is only passable with the base model. The SLE can be fitted with bucket seats as an option, which comes highly recommended since it also adds the nifty center console for storage. Irrespective of their type, the front seats can be a little awkward for some drivers since it is too close to the dash and the steering wheel has no telescoping function. Moreover, the center stack of high-end models of the 2013 GMC Sierra has some small buttons that are difficult to see and use. On a positive note, the rear seats of the crew cab models are very spacious, though not as much as some competitors. Entry and exit to the rear is great thanks to the rear doors that swing a full 170 degrees. The seats can be folded down completely flat too, allowing owners to easily load cargo inside.

Safety

The 2013 GMC Sierra has hill-start control, trailer sway control, stability control, and anti-lock disc brakes as standard. Side curtain and front side airbags are optional, along with a rearview camera. The standard electronic stability system of the Sierra also gets rollover mitigation technology. Available safety features include a backup camera and an OnStar system to automatically alert authorities in case of an accident.

Driving Experience

The 2013 GMC Sierra is available with four engines and five suspensions. The base engine is a 4.3-liter, V-6 engine that delivers 195 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Next in line is a 4.8-liter, V-8 engine that delivers 302 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. Also available is a 5.3-liter, V-8 engine that delivers 315 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This engine also gets a cylinder deactivation system for better fuel economy. The biggest engine is a 6.2-liter, all-aluminum, V-8 engine that delivers 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque.

The heavy-duty versions of the 2013 GMC Sierra, the 2500 and 3500HD, can tow up to 23,000 pounds with a fifth-wheel hitch and 18,000 pounds with a conventional hitch. The maximum cargo capacity is 7215 pounds, which has improved from last year thanks to the improved suspension and stronger structure. The light-duty models of the 2013 GMC Sierra offer a surprisingly pleasant driving experience with light but precise steering and a quiet cabin. The base V-6 hardly offers much, even for light-duty Sierra owners. The 4.8-liter engine offers just enough power, and the added muscle starts showing with the 5.3-liter engine. Of course, the 6.2-liter engine offers the greatest power, and it can get the Sierra through any work and load with ease.

Key Competitors For The 2013 GMC Sierra

2013 GMC Sierra Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$23,590

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$17,425

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

Recall ID#13V001000 - STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Consequence

As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Units Affected

54686

Recall ID#13V001000 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Consequence

As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Units Affected

54686

Recall ID#13V615000 - FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Consequence

If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2013-12-11

Description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.

Units Affected

9733

Recall ID#13V544000 - EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Consequence

Text that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and safe refueling, increasing the risk of a fire.

Recall Date

2015-10-30

Description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 303 "Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles." In the affected vehicles, the text of the CNG fuel-only label is smaller than the required size, and as a result, may be less noticeable.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13365.

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